The United States Supreme Court has temporarily halted the deportation of a group of Venezuelans accused of gang affiliation, instructing the Trump administration to suspend their removal while legal proceedings continue.
This action follows a legal challenge by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which is suing the administration over the deportation of Venezuelans detained in North Texas. The deportations are being carried out under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act—an obscure law that gives the president authority to detain or deport citizens of countries deemed hostile to the US during times of conflict.
On Saturday, the Supreme Court ordered that no deportations take place “until further order of this Court”.
Former President Donald Trump has justified the removals by alleging that the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua poses a threat to national security, accusing its members of “perpetrating, attempting, and threatening an invasion or predatory incursion” on American soil. The administration has transferred many of these individuals to a notorious mega-prison in El Salvador.
A senior government official said that as of April 8, 261 Venezuelans had been deported to El Salvador, with 137 being removed under the Alien Enemies Act. The legislation has only been invoked three times in US history—each during wartime—with its most notable use during World War II, when thousands of Japanese Americans were interned without trial.
The ACLU argues that the Venezuelan detainees have been denied basic legal protections. According to the lawsuit, some received deportation notices only in English, including at least one individual who speaks only Spanish. The civil rights group also claims the detainees were not informed of their right to challenge their deportation in court.
“Without this Court’s intervention, dozens or hundreds of proposed class members may be removed to a possible life sentence in El Salvador with no real opportunity to contest their designation or removal,” the lawsuit stated.
While a lower court had already paused some deportations on March 15, the Supreme Court ruled on April 8 that, although the Alien Enemies Act could be invoked, individuals must be allowed to contest their removal before deportation proceeds legally.
